Folding table



Dec. 31, 1940. E' DAMEL 2,226,710

FOLDING TABLE Filed Mach 1:5, 1959 /0/ so *p 22 Patented Dec. 31, 1940k UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE 2 Claims.

My invention relates generally to tables and more particularly to a folding table applicable for use in the home as a dining table, kitchen table, or card table, and also applicable for use by picnickers, motorists and campers.

The principal object of my invention is, to provide a table wherein the table top comprises two shallow box-like structures connected by hinges so that one part maybe folded into position on lthe other part, thereby producing a container that receives the folding legs and folding braces when the table is collapsed and packed for stor- I age or transportation.

Further objects of my invention are, to prolvvide a folding table that is of strong durable structure, further, to provide a table having folding legs that are extensible in order that the table top may be adjusted to different elevations and further, to provide a .table having folding braces which when swung intopositions of use engage each other and the folding legs of the table, so as to hold the entire structure in firm substantial position when the table is opened and set up for use.

With the foregoing and other objects in View, my invention consists in certain novel features of construction and arrangement of parts that will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical longitudinal sectionl taken approximately through the center of a folding table constructed in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2 is a view looking against the under side of the table.

Fig. 3 is a vertical cross section taken on theline 3--3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail section taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig.y 5 is an enlarged detail section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail section taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 1. i

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail section taken on the line 1 1 of Fig. 1. L

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the table collapsed and folded into compact form for storage or transportation.

In the construction of my improved folding table, two identical rectangular frames are used, each frame comprising an inner side rail l0, an outer side rail II and end rails I2.

Applied to the tops of these frames are panels I3 that constitute the table top and the inner rails I0 are connected by hinges I4 in order that the two frames may be folded into position immediately against and parallel with each other to form a substantially rectangular housing that contains the folding legs and braces of the table.

Portions of the side rails IU immediately ad- 5 jacent the hinges I4 are cut away to provide notches I5 for the accommodation of portions of the braces when the latter are folded into the frames forming a part of the table top.

Suitably hinged to the inner faces of the outer l side rails I I of the frames just above their lower edges are the upper ends of leg members I6, which members are hollow and provided with centrally arranged partitions I1, which latter divide the space within the hollow leg members 15 into twof narrow chambers.

Arranged for sliding movement in the narrow' chambers of each leg member I6, are parallel rails I8 that constitute the'lower or extensible portions of the legs. Secured to the lower ends 20 of each of these pairs of rails I8 are horizontally disposed blocks I9 that are adapted to rest on the oor or ground when the table is set up for use. 'Ihe extensible leg members I8 are provided with longitudinally disposed slots 20 and, passing therethrough and through the side walls of the hollow upper leg members I6 are bolts 2| on the threaded ends of which are mounted winged nuts 22, thus producing means for clamping the extensible leg members to the upper leg members 391 in differently adjusted positions and consequently enabling the table top to occupy different horizontal planes.

Obviously, other conventional forms of clamping means may be arranged between and lower leg members.

Arranged within each part of the table is a substantially U-shaped folding brace comprising a pair of parallel side members 23, the lower ends of which are connected by a horizontally dis- 40 posed rail 24.

The upper ends of the parallel side members 23 of each brace are hinged to the central portions of the side members I0 and II of the table 45 top frames in any suitable manner, preferably by means of bolts 25. In order that the outer member 23 of each brace may occupy a position inside the hollow upper leg member IS, a spacer,

preferably a tube 26 is arranged on the bolt that 50 connects the outer one of the upright members 23 to the outer rail II of the table top frame (see Fig. 4)

Formed in the under side of the central portion of each rail 24 is an elongated curved notch 21 55 the upper 3.5'1

and, seated in the center of the rail and projecting downwardly through this notch is a headed pin or bolt 28. Fulcrumed on pins or bolts 23 that are seated in the under sides of the rails 24 between the notches 2l and the outer .ends of said rails are levers 3E] formed of strap metal, the inner ends of which are loosely arranged on the bolts 28.

The outer ends of these levers 3|) are bent upward to form short fingers 3| which when the table is set up for use, engage in loops 32 that are mounted on the inner faces of the upper leg member I6, thus providing a releasable connection between the lower outer corners of the braces and the upper leg members.

Fulcrumed on pins 33 that are seated in the under sides of the rails 24 between the notches 21 and the outer ends of said rails are levers 34, preferably straps of metal, the inner ends of which are loosely mounted on the bolts 2B.

The outer end of one of these levers 34 is extended upwardly to form a short pin 35 that is adapted to engage through an aperture 36'that is formed in the adjacent end of the corresponding lever carried lby the other one of the folding braces, thus providing a releasable connection between the lower inner corners of the braces.

Occupying the notches 2l in the rails 24 are bow springs 3l, the ends of which bear against the rails 24 and the bowed central portion of said springs bear on the overlapping ends of the levers 3|) and 34.

The bolts 28 pass through the centers of the springs 31.

When my improved table is set up for use, the various parts thereof occupy the positions as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. The braces occupy vertical positions beneath the table top members with the fingers 3| engaging in the loops 32 on the upper leg members I6 and, the inner lower corners of the braces are connected to each other by the engagement of the pin 35 in the aperture 36. The frames and panels comprising the table top may be adjusted vertically to the desired position and secured after such adjustment by means of the bolts 2| and winged nuts 22.

When the table is collapsed and folded for storage or transportation, the lower leg members I8 are moved into the upper leg members as far as possible and secured by tightening the winged nuts 22 on the bolts 2 I.

The overlapping end portions of the levers 3D an'd 34 are now pressed upwardly toward the rails 24 against the yielding resistance offered by the springs 3l, thereby swinging the levers 3U on their fulcrums so as to disengage the fingers 3| from the loops 32 and, the end of the lever 34 carrying the pin 35 is flexed downwardly a suicient distance to disengage said pin from the aperture 35.

The U-shaped braces are now swung upwardly into position against 4the under sides of the table top panels I3, one brace being swung in one direction and the other brace in the other direction and, thus the braces occupy positions directly against the un'der sides of the panels I3 with the end of the lever 34 carrying pin 35 occupying one pair of notches I5 and the end of the lever provided with the aperture 36 occupying the other pair of notches I5.

The legs I6 containing the extensible leg members I B are now folded upwardly into position against the under sides of the folded braces and the two parts of the table top are now swung on the hinges I4 so that one part occupies a position directly against the other part and, thus the two parts of the table top provide a boxlike container for the folding legs and braces as illustrated in Fig. 8.

Thus, the entire table when collapsed and folded occupies comparatively little space and can be conveniently carried on the running board or storage compartment of an automobile.

Thus it will be seen that I have provided a folding table that is relatively simple in construction, inexpensive of manufacture and very effective in performing the functions for which it is intended.

It willV be understood that minor changes in the size, form and construction of the various parts of myy improved folding table may be made and substituted for those herein shown and described, withoutdeparting from the spirit of my invention, the scope of which is set forth in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

l. In a folding table, a pair of identical shallow box-like table top members, hinges connecting 9 said members whereby one member may be folded into position against the other member, braces hinged to the under side of said table top members and adapted to fold into position directly against the under surfaces of said table top members, legs hinged to the outer ends of the table top members and adapted to fold into position directly against the braces when the latter are folded into the table ,top members, a pair of levers fulcrumed on the under side of each brace with the inner ends of the members of each pair of levers overlapping one another, a spring disposed Vbetween the overlapping inner ends of each pair of levers and -the adjacent brace, means on each leg for receiving the outer end of one lever of each pair when the legs and braces are in open position and means providing a detachable connection forvthe `outer ends of the other levers of each pair when the said braces are in open position.

2. In a folding table, a `two-part table top, hinges connecting the two vparts of the table top, a leg hinged to the outer end portion of each table top member and adapted to foldfinto the table top member to which it is hinged, a brace hinged to the under side of each table top member and adapted to fold against the under side of the table top member to which it is hinged, a pair of levers fulcrumed on the under side of each brace with the inner ends of the members of each pair oflevers overlapping one another, a spring' disposed between'the overlapping inner ends of each pair kof levers and the adjacent brace, means on each'leg for receiving the outer end of one lever of each pair when the legs and braces are in open position and means providing 'a detachable connection for the outer ends of the other levers of each pair when the said braces are in open position..

ELIAS DANIEL. 

